Information about the Champion Lands Deal
In a message dated 12/15/01 10:22:07 AM Eastern Standard Time,
vce@vermontel.net writes:
Hi James, I've read the governor's letter and your cover letter. Can you explain to me what the issues are now? I gather you're still not happy even though the easement was rewritten. Is it roads? Access for snowmobiles? Are the issues specific to the core area or are there issues that relate to the other areas as well? Please help me understand the specific issues. Thanks. Annette
Annette,
The governor's letter is specific with respect to for which it calls. The easement does not nearly approach the specifics of the letter. The letter, as well as Rocchio's testimony, promises the existence of a working forest as it exists, to include roads. This is what the legislature was promised. This what we should get, regardless of how any of us personally feel about theory or philosophy. TNC knows the issues. They can keeping paying Ellis to spin what they are trying to accomplish. I will stick to public acess to public land and fair and open government. TNC tries to bully and spin., hoping we will run out time, money or enthusiasm. Wait until the NRA sits at the table. I intend to invite them. They have already promised money and lawyers.
It is not a question of my happiness so I do not care to even address that. It is a question of accountability. Have you been deceived by your governor today?
To put things in perspective Annette, if the people wanted OMYA and I did mybest to educate and failed, and the governor had promised the people OMYA, I would not support him in deceiving the public to keep OMYA out. Principle does not apply only when in my favor, for if it did those we dance in the dark with would use it against us later. I prefer to dance in public with the lights on.
All the best,
James Ehlers, Editor
The Outdoors Magazine
For the better hunter, angler and trapper
181 South Union Street
Burlington, VT 05401
www.outdoorsmagazine.net
Phone: (802) 860-0003
Fax: (802) 860-0005
Editor, Outdoors Magazine
Host and co-producer, The Great Outdoors Show, WOKO 98.9FM
Columnist, Vermont Times
Regarding the camps:
The governor's letter clearly says they are going to be phased out, so if you're arguing that the principles of that letter be upheld, isn't that something that was agreed to from the outset?
So it also appears you want logging throughout the core area?
Annette,
No, it was not. and what core area?
All the best,
James Ehlers, Editor
The Outdoors Magazine
For the better hunter, angler and trapper
181 South Union Street
Burlington, VT 05401
www.outdoorsmagazine.net <http://www.outdoorsmagazine.net>
Phone: (802) 860-0003
Fax: (802) 860-0005
Annette,
There are many BMPs already in place. This is not about who is your friend or mine, animal rights, or anything else. You repeatedly miss or choose not to see the point. I am standing up for promises made to the legislature, and considering that Howard wants to run for federal office he is probably going to want that NRA support he has counted on for the last ten years, particularly last year. If such is the case, I am not worried about any fight. The NRA, as they have already promised, will make sure the governor keeps his promises, if not the NRA will help us to the Supreme Court. Agencies and executives WILL execute under the authority bestowed upon them by the people ... this is what I am about--the end does not justify the means.
In a message dated 12/18/01 9:42:48 AM Eastern Standard Time,
vce@vermontel.net writes:
If I'm not seeing the point, then make it clearer. I am trying. What specific promises that were made to the legislature are not being kept? What I'm hearing is you think all roads should be kept as is, all access to snowmobiles should be kept as is, all 132,000 acres should be kept open to logging, and all camps should remain forever. Is this your position or isn't?
Annette,
You are trying to get me to say things that would be used against us. I have been playing this game for some time. I have stated what I am looking for: the governor's letter to be honored.
All the best,
James Ehlers, Editor
The Outdoors Magazine
For the better hunter, angler and trapper
181 South Union Street
Burlington, VT 05401
www.outdoorsmagazine.net <http://www.outdoorsmagazine.net>
Phone: (802) 860-0003
Fax: (802) 860-0005
Annette,
I thought you might want to see some of the comments on your letter to the legislators from a Federation vice president
Subj: Re: The Champion lands deal
Date: 12/27/01 11:05:15 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: clintgrayvt@yahoo.com
To: wleipold@together.net, VTOutdoors@aol.com
Bill, I too can rest knowing all these new facts. I enjoyed learning of the new partnership portion, placing ANR out on the limb. It is obvious that she failed to take in all the information that was available, such as: the enabling legislation and the meaning of the 1999 Budget Appropriations Act 87a, or did I fail to see that this money($ 4.5 Million) was appropriated for the easement on the private land now known as Essex Timber land. Or did I mis-read and failed to understand the application for the grant by the Conservation Fund, Vermont ANR, and Vermont Land Trust to the VHCB. Where on page 15 of said application states the " Governor Dean will be requesting that legislature appropriate $5.5 million from the State's surpluis to the VHCB Trust Fund with the intention that $1 million be available for affordable housing and $4.5 million available for land conservation. If the Legislature acts favorably, $2 million will be used to restore the $2 million that was used for the Champion closing. The remaining $2.5 million in the request will complete the $4.5 grant for the Champion project. The $2.5 million from the VHCB will be matched with $2.5 million grant from an anonymous non-Vermont foundation." Also page 17 states " the state's contribution of $4.5 million dollars will also be securing a natural, recreational and economic resource of not only state,but regional and national signficance." " The state contribution of $4.5 million will be levering a commitment of $22 million dollars for acquisition alone." So after all that, either there is a mistruth in the application or there is some in the reseach done by Ms.Smith. It would be as interesting if not more so to know why, or at who's request prompted this writing to be created and sent to the Vermont Legislative body.
Clint
From: VTOutdoors@aol.com
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001 08:39:53 EST
To: vce@vermontel.net
Subject: Your Champion letter to the legislators
Annette,
Your email below is filled with many errors. I will be responding point by point with the accurate information in the next few days.
You obviously did not read the governor's letter carefully or you read it reading what you hoped it would say. In your zeal to do the right thing, Annette, you are going jeopardize local and statewide support you have for your OMYA fight by throwing your hat, as you have with this letter, into the ring on what boils down to a fight between the common working people and Howard's elitist cocktail crew.
Since you thought it necessary to send this out, I will need now to ask some serious questions which will become the subject of public record. What is the research on which you base your "commonly held views"? How was this information you cite obtained? From whom? Over what period of time? What is the degree of statistical error? Since you are attempting to influence public policy with your "facts" you really ought to be able to answer these questions.
Guess you do have a stake in the issue. Well you know how politics works, Annette. You get this, and in return I get this, and so on and so on. What are you prepared to give up now that VCE has become an advocacy group for TNC? I hope they are making it worth your while.
See you in the dome.
james
